U.S. patent application number 13/311530 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-28 for print control apparatus and control method therefor.
This patent application is currently assigned to CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Yoichi Kodama, Yuji Kojima, Yoichi Matsuyama.
Application Number | 20120162705 13/311530 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46316375 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120162705 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kodama; Yoichi ; et
al. |
June 28, 2012 |
PRINT CONTROL APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR
Abstract
In a print control apparatus which causes a print apparatus to
print via a hot folder, it is monitored whether a file is submitted
to the hot folder. Upon submitting the file, it is identified
whether the submitted file is a reference information file
indicating an external content file, and, upon identifying the
reference information file, it is determined whether an acquisition
process of acquiring the external content file indicated by the
reference information file is to be executed by the print control
apparatus or the print apparatus. Upon determining that the
acquisition process is to be executed by the print control
apparatus, print data is generated based on the acquired external
content file, and, upon determining that the acquisition process is
to be executed by the print apparatus, print data including the
reference information file indicating the external content file is
generated.
Inventors: |
Kodama; Yoichi;
(Yokohama-shi, JP) ; Matsuyama; Yoichi;
(Yokohama-shi, JP) ; Kojima; Yuji; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Assignee: |
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
46316375 |
Appl. No.: |
13/311530 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/1285 20130101;
G06F 3/122 20130101; G06F 3/1265 20130101; G06F 3/1204 20130101;
G06F 3/1282 20130101; G06F 3/127 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/1.15 |
International
Class: |
G06K 15/02 20060101
G06K015/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 24, 2010 |
JP |
2010-288555 |
Oct 20, 2011 |
JP |
2011-231100 |
Claims
1. A print control apparatus which causes a print apparatus to
print via a hot folder, comprising: a monitoring unit which
monitors whether a file is submitted to the hot folder; an
identification unit which identifies, upon submitting the file,
whether the submitted file is a reference information file
indicating an external content file; a determination unit which
determines, upon identifying the reference information file by said
identification unit, whether an acquisition process of acquiring
the external content file indicated by the reference information
file is to be executed by the print control apparatus or the print
apparatus; and a generation unit which generates, upon determining
by said determination unit that the acquisition process is to be
executed by the print control apparatus, print data based on the
acquired external content file, and generates, upon determining by
said determination unit that the acquisition process is to be
executed by the print apparatus, print data including the reference
information file indicating the external content file.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said determination
unit determines based on an acquisition rule whether the
acquisition process is to be executed by the print control
apparatus or the print apparatus.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the acquisition rule
is generated in accordance with an instruction input by a user.
4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the acquisition rule
is generated based on statuses of the print control apparatus and
the print apparatus.
5. A control method for a print control apparatus which causes a
print apparatus to print via a hot folder, comprising: monitoring
whether a file is submitted to the hot folder; identifying, upon
submitting the file, whether the submitted file is a reference
information file indicating an external content file; determining,
upon identifying the reference information file, whether an
acquisition process of acquiring the external content file
indicated by the reference information file is to be executed by
the print control apparatus or the print apparatus; and generating,
upon determining that the acquisition process is to be executed by
the print control apparatus, print data based on the acquired
external content file, and generating, upon determining that the
acquisition process is to be executed by the print apparatus, print
data including the reference information file indicating the
external content file.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein in the determining
step, it is determined based on an acquisition rule whether the
acquisition process is to be executed by the print control
apparatus or the print apparatus.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the acquisition rule is
generated in accordance with an instruction input by a user.
8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the acquisition rule is
generated based on statuses of the print control apparatus and the
print apparatus.
9. A computer-readable recording medium recording a program for
causing a computer to execute a control method for a print control
apparatus which causes a print apparatus to print via a hot folder,
the method comprising: monitoring whether a file is submitted to
the hot folder; identifying, upon submitting the file, whether the
submitted file is a reference information file indicating an
external content file; determining, upon identifying the reference
information file, whether an acquisition process of acquiring the
external content file indicated by the reference information file
is to be executed by the print control apparatus or the print
apparatus; and generating, upon determining that the acquisition
process is to be executed by the print control apparatus, print
data based on the acquired external content file, and generating,
upon determining that the acquisition process is to be executed by
the print apparatus, print data including the reference information
file indicating the external content file.
10. The medium according to claim 9, wherein in the determining
step, it is determined based on an acquisition rule whether the
acquisition process is to be executed by the print control
apparatus or the print apparatus.
11. The medium according to claim 10, wherein the acquisition rule
is generated in accordance with an instruction input by a user.
12. The medium according to claim 10, wherein the acquisition rule
is generated based on statuses of the print control apparatus and
the print apparatus.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a technique of printing by
a print apparatus via a hot folder.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A photographic processing system has conventionally been
known as a system which prints a photograph captured by an image
capture apparatus such as a digital camera. This photographic
processing system inputs image data to be printed first, prints an
image using this data, and performs a post-print process, thereby
creating a photographic print to be printed. Upon designation of
image data to be printed, this photographic processing system
performs various print settings, and then stores image data and a
setting information file in a folder called a "hot folder".
[0005] In a general hot folder, the user (client or operator)
copies a file entity (content data) to be printed into the hot
folder by copy and paste or drag and drop (Patent Literature 1:
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-222661).
[0006] In another known technique, a job ticket describing an
address (for example, a URL) indicating a location is accepted
instead of a file entity (content data), and the file entity is
separately acquired from a hot folder, thereby instructing to form
an image (Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
2010-257157).
[0007] However, in the technique described in the above-mentioned
patent literature 1, especially when large-sized print data is
submitted to a hot folder, it takes much time to copy a file into
it, so the user cannot perform other operations until copy is
completed, and the operation slows down.
[0008] In the technique described in patent literature 2, when the
entity of a file indicated by an address described in a job ticket
cannot be accessed from a hot folder due to factors associated with
a network, the file entity cannot be acquired from the hot
folder.
[0009] Also, during running of a hot folder application, even when
the printer used is changed to a type having data reference
capability so that the printer is ready to acquire data, the
printer cannot actually acquire the data.
[0010] Moreover, when, for example, the printer has data reference
capability and acquires data, it cannot efficiently print if its
amount of HDD usage or its amount of jobs exceeds its limit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention provides an apparatus and a method
which improve the operability of a print process using a hot
folder.
[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a print control apparatus which causes a print apparatus
to print via a hot folder, comprising: a monitoring unit which
monitors whether a file is submitted to the hot folder; an
identification unit which identifies, upon submitting the file,
whether the submitted file is a reference information file
indicating an external content file; a determination unit which
determines, upon identifying the reference information file by the
identification unit, whether an acquisition process of acquiring
the external content file indicated by the reference information
file is to be executed by the print control apparatus or the print
apparatus; and a generation unit which generates, upon determining
by the determination unit that the acquisition process is to be
executed by the print control apparatus, print data based on the
acquired external content file, and generates, upon determining by
the determination unit that the acquisition process is to be
executed by the print apparatus, print data including the reference
information file indicating the external content file.
[0013] Further features of the present invention will become
apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments
with reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a
print system according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example of the
hardware configuration of a client PC;
[0016] FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating an example of the
hardware configuration of a print server;
[0017] FIG. 3A is a view for explaining a process by a hot folder
application;
[0018] FIG. 3B is a view showing the contents of print job
data;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a view showing the hierarchical structure of a hot
folder;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a detailed process in step
S802 when a reference information file is used;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a detailed process in step
S802 when another reference information file is used;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a detailed process in step
S803 when a reference information file is used;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process executed
by the hot folder application;
[0024] FIG. 9A is a view illustrating an example of the format of
the reference information file;
[0025] FIG. 9B is a view illustrating a detailed example of an
actual reference information file conforming to the format shown in
FIG. 9A;
[0026] FIG. 10A is a view illustrating another example of the
format of the reference information file;
[0027] FIG. 10B is a view illustrating a detailed example of an
actual reference information file conforming to the format shown in
FIG. 10A;
[0028] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing another exemplary process
executed by the hot folder application;
[0029] FIG. 12A is a view illustrating an example of the format of
an acquisition rule setting file;
[0030] FIG. 12B is a view illustrating a detailed example of an
actual acquisition rule setting file conforming to the format shown
in FIG. 12A; and
[0031] FIG. 13 is a view illustrating an example of a UI for
selecting a location from which content data is acquired.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Modes for carrying out the present invention will be
described in detail below with reference to the accompanying
drawings. A print system in which a workflow application or an
operator causes a print apparatus to print via a hot folder
monitored by a hot folder application will be described in the
following embodiments.
[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a
print system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In this print system, a client PC 102, a print server 103, and a
print apparatus 104 are connected to each other via a network 101.
Also, the print server 103 and the print apparatus 104 are
connected to each other via an interface cable 105, but may be
connected to each other by other connection configurations such as
wireless connection or the use of the network 101, as a matter of
course.
[0034] In response to a print order accepted from the user, the
client PC 102 generates commercial material information complying
with the user's order and a job ticket corresponding to the
commercial material information. After obtaining a complete set of
data necessary for printing, the client PC 102 transmits the job
ticket and a print job to the print server 103. On the other hand,
upon receiving the print job and job ticket transmitted from the
client PC 102, the print server 103 interprets the job ticket to
issue a print instruction to the print apparatus 104. The print
server 103 then performs RIP, and transmits bitmap data obtained by
RIP to the print apparatus 104 via the interface cable 105.
Alternatively, the print apparatus 104 may perform RIP on behalf of
the print server 103.
[0035] Note that in an example shown in FIG. 1, the client PC 102
and the print server 103 are connected to each other via the
network 101. However, the present invention is not limited to this,
and the client PC 102 and the print server 103 may be the same
computer.
[0036] The hardware configurations of the client PC 102 and print
server 103 will be described next with reference to FIGS. 2A and
2B, respectively. The hardware configuration of the client PC 102
will be described first with reference to FIG. 2A.
[0037] FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example of the
hardware configuration of the client PC 102. As the hardware of the
client PC 102, configurations which use various connection methods
and have various buses or interfaces are commonly known, so a
hardware configuration introduced herein is merely an example.
[0038] A CPU 201 controls the overall client PC 102 in accordance
with a control program loaded into a RAM 202. The RAM 202 is an
internal storage unit into which a control program for the client
PC 102, that is executed by the CPU 201, and data such as a
document or an image are loaded. A network interface 203 connects
the client PC 102 to a communication network such as the Internet
under the control of the CPU 201 to control transmission/reception
of, for example, data.
[0039] An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 204 is a mass storage device which
stores the control program for the client PC 102 and various data
such as various tables. A display 205 is a display device for
displaying, for example, the status of the client PC 102. A
keyboard 206 is an input device via which the user inputs data to
the client PC 102, and a mouse 207 is a pointing device which
issues an instruction on the display 205.
[0040] Various types of software stored in the HDD 204 are loaded
into the RAM 202 as needed, and executed under the control of the
CPU 201 using the functions of the operating system, which are
loaded into the RAM 202 as well.
[0041] The hardware configuration of the print server 103 will be
described next with reference to FIG. 2B. FIG. 2B is a block
diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of
the print server 103.
[0042] As in the client PC 102, as the hardware of the print server
103, configurations which use various connection methods and have
various buses or interfaces are commonly known, so a hardware
configuration introduced herein is merely an example.
[0043] A CPU 201, RAM 202, network interface 203, HDD 204, display
205, keyboard 206, and mouse 207 shown in FIG. 2B have the same
functions as those shown in FIG. 2A.
[0044] The CPU 201 controls the overall print server 103 in
accordance with a control program loaded into the RAM 202. The RAM
202 is an internal storage unit into which a control program for
the print server 103, that is executed by the CPU 201, and data
such as a document or an image are loaded. The network interface
203 connects the print server 103 to a communication network such
as the Internet under the control of the CPU 201 to control
transmission/reception of, for example, data.
[0045] The HDD 204 is a mass storage device which stores the
control program for the print server 103 and various data such as
various tables. The display 205 is a display device for displaying,
for example, the status of the print server 103. The keyboard 206
is an input device via which the user inputs data to the print
server 103, and the mouse 207 is a pointing device which issues an
instruction on the display 205.
[0046] A print apparatus interface 208 is connected to the print
apparatus 104 via the interface cable 105, and used to transmit
data having undergone RIP.
[0047] Various types of software stored in the HDD 204 are loaded
into the RAM 202 as needed, and executed under the control of the
CPU 201 using the functions of the operating system, which are
loaded into the RAM 202 as well.
[0048] A process executed by a hot folder application in the print
system will be described next with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.
Referring to FIG. 3A, a workflow application 301 is installed on
the RAM 202 of the client PC 102, and a hot folder application 303
is installed on the RAM 202 of the print server 103.
[0049] Note that the present invention is not limited to the
above-mentioned specific installation method, and the workflow
application 301 and hot folder application 303 may be installed on
the same computer. Also, the operator may execute a process on
behalf of the workflow application 301. The workflow application
301 or the operator will be referred to as the "user"
hereinafter.
[0050] A hot folder 401 is created by the hot folder application
303. Also, the hot folder 401 may be created on the HDD 204 of the
same computer as that on which the hot folder application 303 is
installed. Moreover, the hot folder 401 may be created on the HDD
204 of another computer which is connected to the print system via
the network 101 and on which the workflow application 301 is
installed. The present invention is not limited to a single hot
folder, and a plurality of hot folders may be created, as a matter
of course.
[0051] The user generates print job data 302 and a trigger file 404
before printing. Note that in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B,
the print job data 302 is formed by the following files:
[0052] a content file 307 to be printed, which contains, for
example, PDF data or image data;
[0053] a reference information file 305 indicating an external
content file 306;
[0054] a job ticket file in the XML format, which describes job
information; and
[0055] a print ticket file in the XML format that describes print
setting information.
[0056] In this case, the content file 307 and reference information
file 305 may be combined with each other, or one of them may have
both functions. Also, the trigger file 404 is an empty file having
an arbitrary name and an extension ".trg". However, the present
invention is not limited to this empty file. Also, the reference
destination at which the external content file 306 is referred to
may be described in the job ticket file instead of the reference
information file 305. Moreover, print setting information such as
the job ticket file and the print ticket file may be associated
with the hot folder in advance, thus obviating the need to always
include it in the print job data 302. If no print setting
information is included in the print job data 302, print setting
information described in the job ticket or print ticket associated
with the hot folder in advance is used.
[0057] When the user prints via the hot folder 401, first, he or
she creates a job folder 402 having a folder name corresponding to
a print job in the hot folder 401, as shown in FIG. 4. The user
then copies the print job data 302 into the job folder 402. Note
that the user copies the trigger file 404 at the same hierarchical
level as the job folder 402 without waiting until copy of the print
job data 302 into the job folder 402 is completed.
[0058] On the other hand, the hot folder application 303 acquires
an event issued by the operating system to monitor a change in the
hot folder 401, that is, addition of a file or folder in the hot
folder 401. Also, if the hot folder 401 on another computer
connected to the print system via the network 101 is to be
monitored, the hot folder application 303 cannot acquire any event.
In such a case, the hot folder 401 is checked in accordance with a
designated monitoring interval to monitor a change in the hot
folder 401.
[0059] Next, the hot folder application 303 detects the job folder
402 and its corresponding trigger file 404 from the hot folder 401.
Upon detection, the job folder 402 containing the print job data
302, and the trigger file 404 are moved to separate folders. An
application program interface (API) of a print controller 304 is
then invoked to submit the print job data 302 to the print
controller 304. Note that the print controller 304 and hot folder
application 303 may be running on the same information processing
apparatus or separate information processing apparatuses.
[0060] If the reference information file 305 is included in the
print job data 302, the external content file 306 indicated by the
reference information file 305 is submitted to the print controller
304 based on an acquisition rule. After submitting, the trigger
file 404 is deleted, and a job submission process by the hot folder
application 303 is completed.
[0061] At this time, the print controller 304 receives the print
job data 302 from the hot folder application 303. The received
print job data 302 includes the content file 307 or external
content file 306. The print job data 302 also includes the job
ticket file and print ticket file, so print settings are acquired
from these files. In accordance with these print settings, the
print controller 304 converts the content file 307 or external
content file 306 into print data in a format that can be printed by
the print apparatus 104, and transmits the print data to the print
apparatus 104.
[0062] Note that the print controller 304 can also transmit the
reference information file 305 to the print apparatus 104. In this
case, when the hot folder application 303 confirms that the
reference information file 305 is submitted to the hot folder, it
transmits the print job data 302 including the reference
information file 305 to the print controller 304 based on an
acquisition rule, although this is merely an example. Thus, the
print controller 304 transmits print data including print setting
information and a reference information file so that the print
apparatus 104 can acquire content data.
[0063] An acquisition rule setting file 308 describes a location
from which content data is acquired, and will be described later
with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. Note that depending on the
acquisition rule, the print controller 304 may acquire content
data, and transmit print data based on the content data and print
setting information to the print apparatus 104. Especially when the
print controller 304 is running on an information processing
apparatus different from that on which the hot folder application
303 is running, an effect such as process load balancing can be
attained by executing a content data acquisition process using the
print controller 304.
[0064] FIG. 9A is a view illustrating an example of the format of
the reference information file 305. FIG. 9A shows a reference
destination URL portion 901 indicating the external content file
306. In this embodiment, the extension of a submitted file is
referred to so that it is identified whether this file is the
reference information file 305. If the extension of the submitted
file is ".ref", it is determined that this file is the reference
information file 305. A detailed process will be described in more
detail later with reference to FIG. 5.
[0065] FIG. 9B is a view illustrating a detailed example of an
actual reference information file 305 conforming to the format
shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9B shows an example of the reference
destination URL portion 901. "URL=file:C: workspace pdf bbb.pdf" is
described on the first line of the reference information file 305,
and "file:c: workspace pdf bbb.pdf" of this code indicates the
reference destination URL. The external content file 306 is stored
at the destination indicated by this URL.
[0066] FIG. 10A is a view illustrating another example of the
format of the reference information file 305, which is different
from that shown in FIG. 9A. In this example, the reference
information file 305 includes a header portion 1001 which can be
used to identify whether a submitted file is the reference
information file 305. The reference information file 305 also
includes a reference destination URL portion 1002 similar to the
reference destination URL portion 901 shown in FIG. 9A. The
reference information file 305 may include data other than the
reference destination URL portion 1002. Also, the present invention
can also be practiced when the reference information file 305 and
the job ticket file are the same as well.
[0067] FIG. 10B is a view illustrating a detailed example of an
actual reference information file 305 conforming to the format
shown in FIG. 10A. FIG. 10B shows an example of the header portion
1001, and "REFERENCE_DATA=YES" is described on the first line of
the reference information file 305. In this embodiment, if
"REFERENCE_DATA=YES" is described on the first line of a submitted
file, it is determined that this file is the reference information
file 305. The reference information file 305 also includes a
reference destination URL portion 1004 similar to the reference
destination URL portion 901 shown in FIG. 9A.
[0068] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process executed
by the hot folder application 303. First, in step S801, the hot
folder application 303 monitors whether the user submits data to be
printed to the hot folder 401. "Submission" means herein copying or
moving the print job data 302 to the hot folder 401.
[0069] As described above, the hot folder application 303 acquires
an event issued by the operating system to monitor a change in the
hot folder 401. Also, if the hot folder 401 on another computer
connected to the print system via the network 101 is to be
monitored, the hot folder 401 is checked in accordance with a
designated monitoring interval to monitor a change in the hot
folder 401.
[0070] In step S802, it is identified whether the print job data
302, submission of which is confirmed in step S801, includes the
reference information file 305. A detailed process in step S802
will be described in more detail later with reference to FIGS. 5
and 6.
[0071] In step S803, the file identified as the reference
information file 305 in step S802 is analyzed to acquire a
reference destination URL from the reference destination URL
portion 901 or 1002. A detailed process in step S803 will be
described in more detail later with reference to FIG. 7.
[0072] In step S804, the print job data 302, and the external
content file 306 indicated by the reference destination URL which
is included in the reference destination URL portion 901 or 1002
and acquired in step S803 are submitted to the print controller
304. The print controller 304 then transmits print data to the
print apparatus 104, as described above.
[0073] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a detailed process in step
S802 when a reference information file is used. First, in step
S501, the extension of the file submitted to the hot folder 401 by
the user is acquired.
[0074] In step S502, it is confirmed whether the extension acquired
in step S501 is ".ref" indicating that the submitted file is the
reference information file 305. If YES is determined in step S502,
it is determined that the submitted file is the reference
information file 305; otherwise, it is determined that the
submitted file is a file entity, that is, the content file 307.
[0075] Although the extension indicating that the submitted file is
the reference information file 305 is assumed to be ".ref" in this
embodiment, the present invention can also be practiced when
another extension is used as well. Also, it can be freely chosen
whether to distinguish between uppercase and lowercase letters of
the extension.
[0076] If it is determined in step S502 that the submitted file is
the reference information file 305, the process advances to step
S803. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S502 that the
submitted file is a file entity, that is, the content file 307, the
process advances to step S804.
[0077] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a detailed process in step
S802 when another reference information file is used. First, in
step S601, the header portion 1001 of the file submitted to the hot
folder 401 by the user is acquired.
[0078] In step S602, it is confirmed whether the header portion
1001 acquired in step S601 coincides with an identifier
"REFERENCE_DATA=YES" indicating that the submitted file is the
reference information file 305. If YES is determined in step S602,
it is determined that the submitted file is the reference
information file 305; otherwise, it is determined that the
submitted file is a file entity, that is, the content file 307.
[0079] Although the header portion 1001 indicating that the
submitted file is the reference information file 305 is assumed to
be "REFERENCE_DATA=YES", the present invention can also be
practiced when another character string or another format is used
as well. For example, the use of a GUID makes it possible to reduce
identification errors as the submitted file and the reference
information file 305 have the same character string on the first
line by chance.
[0080] Also, the latter method may be used in combination with an
identification method which uses an extension, as described above.
Moreover, a link file or shortcut provided in advance on the OS on
which the hot folder application 303 is running may be used.
[0081] If it is determined in step S602 that the submitted file is
the reference information file 305, the process advances to step
S803. On the other hand, if it is determined that the submitted
file is the content file 307, the process advances to step
S804.
[0082] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a detailed process in step
S803 when a reference information file is used. First, in step
S701, the reference destination URL is analyzed from the reference
destination URL portion 901 or 1002. More specifically,
"URL=file:C: workspace pdf bbb.pdf" is divided into "URL=" and
"file:C: workspace pdf bbb.pdf". In step S702, "file:C: workspace
pdf bbb.pdf" is acquired as a reference destination URL from the
analysis result obtained in step S701.
[0083] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an exemplary process which is
different from that shown in FIG. 8 and is executed by the hot
folder application 303. Processes in steps S1101 and S1102 are the
same as in steps S801 and S802, respectively.
[0084] In step S1103, the hot folder application 303 acquires the
held acquisition rule setting file 308. The present invention can
be practiced regardless of whether the acquisition rule setting
file 308 is included in the print job data 302 or held for each hot
folder. FIG. 12A is a view illustrating an example of the format of
the acquisition rule setting file. FIG. 12B is a view illustrating
a detailed example of an actual acquisition rule setting file
conforming to the format shown in FIG. 12A.
"DATA_GET_PLACE=HOT_FOLDER" is described on the first line of the
acquisition rule setting file, and "HOT_FOLDER" of this code
indicates a location from which the external content file 306 is
acquired. Since "HOT_FOLDER" indicates a hot folder, this rule
stipulates that the hot folder application 303 acquires content
data. Instead, if, for example, "PRINT_SDK" is described on the
first line of the acquisition rule setting file, the print
controller 304 acquires content data; or if "PRINTER" is described
on the first line of the acquisition rule setting file, the print
apparatus 104 acquires content data. That is, the hot folder
application 303 determines that the print controller 304 acquires
the content data if "HOT_FOLDER" or "PRINT_SDK" is set as
"DATA_GET_PLACE". On the other hand, the hot folder application 303
determines that the print apparatus 104 acquires the content data
if "PRINTER" is set as "DATA_GET_PLACE". Note that an acquisition
rule setting file is generated in accordance with a user's
instruction. For example, the hot folder application 303 displays a
selection screen, as shown in FIG. 13, used to select a location
from which content data is acquired. In this case, if a hot folder
is selected, an acquisition rule setting file, as shown in FIG.
12B, is generated.
[0085] In step S1104, the hot folder application 303 determines
whether the location from which content data is acquired is
"HOT_FOLDER". If YES is determined in step S1104, the process
advances to steps S1105 and S1106. Processes in steps S1105 and
S1106 are the same as in steps S803 and S804, respectively. If NO
is determined in step S1104, the hot folder application 303
transmits print job data including the reference information file
305 to the print controller 304 in step S1107. Note that the print
job data includes a location from which content data is acquired
and which is based on the acquisition rule setting file.
[0086] In step S1107, in a process subsequent to that which uses
the hot folder, the print job data including the reference
information file 305 is received, and the print controller 304 or
print apparatus 104 acquires content data based on the reference
information file 305. Note that the present invention can also be
practiced when the contents of the reference information file 305
are included in the job ticket as well. Although an acquisition
rule setting file is generated in accordance with a user's
instruction input using the selection screen shown in FIG. 13 in
the above-mentioned embodiment, it may automatically be generated.
For example, if the hot folder application 303 recognizes
unprocessed print job data, the number of which is equal to or
larger than a threshold designated by the user, it generates an
acquisition rule setting file so that the print apparatus 104
executes a process of acquiring the content data of subsequent
print job data including reference information files. On the other
hand, if the hot folder application 303 determines that unprocessed
print job data, the number of which is equal to or larger than a
threshold designated by the user, remain in the print apparatus
104, it generates an acquisition rule setting file so that the hot
folder application 303 itself executes a process of acquiring the
content data of subsequent print job data including reference
information files.
[0087] Again, if the hot folder application 303 cannot access a
reference destination described in a reference information file, it
generates an acquisition setting file so that the print apparatus
104 executes a process of acquiring the content data of print job
data including this reference information file.
[0088] Also, the hot folder application 303 may acquire the
capability of the print apparatus 104 to determine the acquisition
destination of content data based on whether the apparatus at this
acquisition destination has a function of acquiring content data.
More specifically, if the print apparatus 104 has a function of
acquiring content data, the hot folder application 303 generates an
acquisition rule setting file indicating that the print apparatus
104 acquires content data. On the other hand, if the print
apparatus 104 cannot acquire any content data, the hot folder
application 303 generates an acquisition rule setting file so that
the hot folder application 303 itself acquires content data. Again,
based on the amount of jobs and the HDD free space of the print
apparatus 104, it may selectively be determined whether the hot
folder application 303 acquires content data or the print apparatus
104 acquires content data. More specifically, if the free space of
the print apparatus 104 is smaller than a predetermined capacity,
the hot folder application 303 generates an acquisition rule
setting file so that the hot folder application 303 itself acquires
content data. In other words, the hot folder application 303 may
generate an acquisition rule setting file so that an idle apparatus
executes a content data acquisition process as much as possible, in
accordance with the statuses of both the print apparatus 104 and
hot folder application 303. At this time, if the print controller
304 is running on an information processing apparatus different
from that on which the hot folder application 303 is running, the
print controller 304 may be added as a candidate for executing an
acquisition process as well.
[0089] According to this embodiment, a reference information file
which has a small size and contains file reference destination
information is used as an input to a hot folder, thereby making it
possible to shorten the time taken to copy the file into the hot
folder. It is also possible to improve the operability of the hot
folder application.
Other Embodiments
[0090] Aspects of the present invention can also be realized by a
computer of a system or apparatus (or devices such as a CPU or MPU)
that reads out and executes a program recorded on a memory device
to perform the functions of the above-described embodiment(s), and
by a method, the steps of which are performed by a computer of a
system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing a
program recorded on a memory device to perform the functions of the
above-described embodiment(s). For this purpose, the program is
provided to the computer for example via a network or from a
recording medium of various types serving as the memory device (for
example, computer-readable medium).
[0091] While the present invention has been described with
reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.
The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
equivalent structures and functions.
[0092] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent
Application Nos. 2010-288555 filed Dec. 24, 2010 and 2011-231100
filed Oct. 20, 2011, which are hereby incorporated by reference
herein in their entirety.
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